There is a guy named Tom, center bottom of this video who talks about using a diorama approach. His layout isn't modular, rather it is a shelf layout comprised of a bunch of dioramas if I understand correctly
That aside the video is well worth watching. Both Toms in the video have amazing ability but especially the one center bottom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDAUDlqa5vs
- Bill Rutherford Lancaster, NH
Central Vermont Railroad
I think the location of the track would be a big issue. There are standards from Free-mo.org
B RutherfordMy concern is blending the landscape / dirt / vegitation so the seam disappears.
You have to have similar ground cover on each of the dioramas. You can't put Duffy's Coal next to Old MacDonalds Farm.
Ken Patterson uses a module approach. But he's a photographer and he drags those modules outside for his photography. His seams are not invisible, but he lives with it.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Can you add tape over the seam and cover it with foam? I too haven't built such layout, but just a thought.
Something to consider: https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/hiding-seams-in-modules.95216/
Mike,
Nice work! Definitely something very appealing to building and detailing on the bench!
To me, this would be like building a sectional lay out, one modular at a time.
Although I would imagine a diorama would be smaller than the typical modular lay out.
If you use the same scenery materials, through out each diorama, I think blending ut all together would be easy enough.
No experience doing it this way, just some "out loud" thinking.
Although, I did make my city scape as 1 lift out section, to expose the hidden track below it.
Everything from the retaining wall back to the back drop is one section, which will lift up and out to expose the track underneath. It continues a little bit more to the left, that is out of the picture.
Actually, everything along the back wall will lift up to expose hidden track.
It was all built on the bench, set in place, and the landscaping touched up to hide any seams.
Mike.
My You Tube
I have heard of a few modelers mounting their building to a diorama and then setting the diorama into the layout. The benefit being the ability to super detail around the building while still on the workbench.
I am currently working on Duffy's Coal from George Selios and he mentions building as a diorama and then placing but he doesn't go into much detail on placing the diorama.
My concern is blending the landscape / dirt / vegitation so the seam disappears.
I am wondering if anyone on the forum has experience doing this and might be willing to share some insights.
Thanks in advance!